TO BE OR NOT TO BE?

We are so excited and privileged to have Shakespeare as part of productions this year.

The work of William Shakespeare is such a integrate part of Theatre. His writing has been part of high school and University English Literature curriculum for years. What a wonderful treat that our Youth Theatre students gain additional exposure and even better, get to bring it to stage!

Shakespeare is renowned for tragedies, unapologetically so. While the themes of his work is central to studying Shakespeare during High School and at university, at Helen O’Grady we choose to focus on the stage craft. Without giving too much away, this year parents and friends can look forward to seeing students master art of mask work….

Somerset West's Youth group playing around with Tableus while rehearsing The Unmasking of MacBeth

A wonderful educational adventure awaits!

It is said that if a child can understand Shakespeare they can understand anything. His language is difficult to read and even more difficult to perform to a theatre full of friends and family. Students gain strength, courage and determination.

The way in which Shakespeare is performed at Helen O’Grady, using neutral masks, builds class unity as students rely on each other to carry the story and characters.

Very few have made the contribution to English literature that Shakespeare has. It is our hope that our Youth Theatre class will move on to make their own contributions to the world of language, literature and theatre.

DRAMA MAKES LEARNING FUN

As we head to the end of another term it's good to reflect on what we've learnt from principals, teachers and our students.

This time of the term and this time of the year we are especially reminded of the way in which drama benefits our students in their school classroom.

Every lesson, our students are asked and encouraged to listen to each other's ideas as well as present their own. These activities allow children to recognise the value of concentration. It also improves their concentration levels on the whole.

They may not realise but learning movement skills, performing mimes to music and playing scenarios that involve counting and keeping count help to develop important numeracy skills.

 From pirate ships to space ships to circus tents and south American jungles, drama scenarios spark in students a curiousity about the world. An inquisitive child is the first step to lots and lots of learning.

And very importantly drama has the ability to create strong friendships between children as they laugh, learn and grow together week after week after week!

Lights. Camera. PRODUCTIONS

Productions are a great time of the year when teachers, students and parents lose sleep, teeth and hair while they gear up for the highlight of the drama year.

A great part about Helen O’ Grady productions is that no one has to audition. The students ALL get to be a part of the action.

Another exciting element is that our productions will be performed at a real theatre at the end of the curriculum year. HOW EXCITING.

Real lights, real props and costumes and of course, real drama.

We are very excited as we’ll start working towards those productions in the coming weeks. Teachers will be revealing the 2015 plays to their classes, casting and sharing what we’ll be showing our friends and family at the end of this year.

We hope our parents and friends will support us this year as they have in the past so that, together, we can put on a showcase of our young talent and hard work.

We look forward to a grueling but fun build up to PRODUCTIONS 2015.

Keep your eyes on this page, our Facebook  for details around this year’s Productions.

Here Comes Drama!

While one of our teachers waited outside while a class exited the venue where her class would take place, she was recognised by one of the young pre-school students. The young girl recognised her sister’s Helen O’ Grady teacher. Her delight and excitement drew the attention of her classmates as she joyfully exclaimed, “Do you know who that is? She’s DRAMA!”

Today’s children and students are exposed to disapproval and negativity. Our drama lessons offer them a place to learn new skills to be used on stage and in presentation as well as a safe place where they are affirmed and nurtured. We have found that students and even their family members and friends recognise “Drama” as a place of excitement, creativity and inspiration.

As teachers we are privileged and proud to allow your students into this world where we can strive to inspire and lead.